Furman set for first SoCon challenge at The Citadel

Furman plays at The Citadel Saturday at 6 p.m. During the Paladins last trip to Citadel in 2014, quarterback P.J. Blazejowski (7) broke the school record for total offense with 382 yards.(Photo11: BART BOATWRIGHT/Staff)Buy Photo

Consistency was a major keyword for the Furman football team this offseason. Coach Bruce Fowler said his team being consistent in its effort and execution at practice and in games each week would boost its hopes of a turnaround from last year's 4-7 record.

The Paladins will have an opportunity to begin proving their coach correct when Furman opens Southern Conference play at rival The Citadel Saturday at 6 p.m. If Furman (0-1) can come up with a similar effort to what it gave Friday in a 28-13 loss at reigning Big Ten champion Michigan State, the Paladins could leave Charleston with an early leg up in the SoCon race.

"There were some positives (at Michigan State). As a staff, we felt really great about our team's effort and preparation in all kinds of ways," Fowler said. "Hopefully we gained some confidence as we move forward into this weekend's big conference game."

Furman's respectable showing against an FBS power garnered the Paladins two votes in this week's FCS coaches poll. Furman will have plenty of chances to collect more votes during what's a challenging September schedule. Following Friday's win, Michigan State moved up from 11th to 8th in this week's FBS Amway Coaches Poll.

Meanwhile, every other Furman opponent in September is ranked in an FCS poll. Coming off a season-opening 24-23 win at Mercer last Saturday, Citadel is 16th in the FCS coaches poll and 15th in the STATS (media) poll. Chattanooga, which Furman hosts Sept. 17, is ranked No. 6 in both polls. Coastal Carolina, which Furman travels to Sept. 24, is 17th in the STATS poll. Playing its final season in FCS, Coastal is ineligible for the FCS playoffs and the coaches poll.

•After six starting positions were still not decided on Furman's depth chart last week, there are no "or" designations this week. That includes quarterback, where junior P.J. Blazejowski appears to be entrenched as the starter after taking all the offensive snaps against Michigan State. While Blazejowski had made 10 starts prior to Friday, all of those came when Reese Hannon was sidelined by an injury.

Blazejowski was 15-of-30 passing for 123 yards and one interception against the Spartans.

"He did a very good job. I'm extremely pleased, not just with his play but just the way he handled the (quarterback competition) situation," Fowler said. "I'm pleased with how the whole team handled it for that matter.

On Saturday, Blazejowski will be returning to the scene of his biggest breakout game of his college career. As a freshman in 2014, Blazejowski completed 20-of-29 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions and ran nine times for 75 yards and a touchdown in a 42-35 overtime loss at Citadel. The 382 yards of total offense established a Furman record for all-purpose yards before Hannon broke the record last season.

•Freshman Darius Morehead rushed for 83 yards on 20 carries in his collegiate debut at Michigan State. In the Spartans' 14 games last season, only four opposing players had more yards rushing than Morehead did Friday. Michigan State ranked No. 7 in the FBS in rushing defense last season, allowing 113.1 yards per game.

"His first game was obviously very good. The offensive line and tight end blocking was good for the most part," Fowler said. "Darius is a dynamic guy with the ball in his hands. He showed extreme poise and toughness for a guy in his first college game."

•On Tuesday morning, Furman Director of Ticket Sales Dwight Covington said the school had "only about 45" of its allotted tickets remaining for Saturday game. Those tickets are in section J of the home stands, which Covington said could be full Saturday.

The visiting stands at Johnson Hagood Stadium are currently closed amid concerns over flaking lead paint, which was found there over the summer.

Furman's allotted tickets can be purchased at furmanpaladins.com or by calling 864-294-3099. They can be picked up at the will call window of Gate 9 at Johnson Hagood Stadium beginning 90 minutes before kickoff.